AKINS SAYS ALBION WERE REWARDED FOR HARD WORK

18 April 2017

Nigel Powlson

HARD work was the key to the Brewers 2-0 win at Birmingham City says Lucas Akins.

Speaking after the victory, in which he scored the second goal, Akins said: "The staff and manager set us up in the best way to go and beat Birmingham but they also told us we had to find that something extra inside ourselves as we are fighting for our lives down there.

"We had to be hungry and all the traits we showed to get out of League One last year we have had to dig deep and show that again now.

"These games are certainly the biggest in my career and these are the ones you want to be involved in and I will do everything in my power to try and help the team.

"We had to work really hard for each other with our defenders putting their bodies on the line and John Brayford making another unbelievable block. And a big mention for Stephen Bywater who I thought did fantastically well when he came on in goal. He's a great character to have around and he works hard and prepares well so when you see him coming on then you know he will do a job."

The Brewers bounced back from the disappointment of losing at home to Ipswich on Good Friday.

Akins said: "It's funny what three days in football can do - it's a rollercoaster for the fans at times. We know this season would be a season of ups but also potentially downs. So we never get too high and never too low.

"We have won against Birmingham - one or two other results have gone our way - but nothing is done yet. But it's a step in the right direction and we are delighted with the performance but more the result."